Speciality chemicals firm Clariant is teaming up with CB&I’s Lummus Novolen Technology business unit to jointly invest about CHF65 million in a new PP catalyst production line at Clariant’s catalyst production hub in Louisville, Kentucky, US. The plant is expected to be on stream in 2015. The partners will ramp up R&D efforts to develop improved PP catalyst and donor technologies. When successful, existing and future Lummus Novolen licensees and other PP producers will be supplied with the new catalyst developed by a new Ziegler-Natta PP catalyst production line.

By leveraging the successful licensing and process design experience of Lummus Novolen and the strong catalyst R&D capabilities of Clariant, the two companies say they expect to further strengthen their joint position in PP catalysts. The PP Ziegler-Natta catalyst market is expected to continue the high growth pace shown over the last decade with estimated growth rates of more than 5% in the next five years.

Hariolf Kottmann, CEO of Clariant, stated: “The strategic partnership with Lummus Novolen is a significant milestone for the catalyst business. It strengthens our competitive position in a market with future perspectives and strong growth rates. This cooperation is another example for the successful implementation of Clariant’s strategy which is focused on innovation, portfolio management and profitable growth.”

"This alliance between Lummus Novolen and Clariant in the field of PP catalyst will strengthen the innovation potential to better serve the needs of our clients. The state-of-the-art catalyst production plant will guarantee continuous supply and consistent product quality,” said Daniel McCarthy, Executive Vice President and President of CB&I’s Technology operating group. “With this new direction, the Lummus Novolen technology portfolio will become an even more attractive offer to the growing PP market."